asked the Minister for Education the estimated additional cost in 1988 through payment of pensions to those primary teachers who accept voluntary redundancy; and whether such cost has been taken into account in calculating the projected saving of £10 million in salaries through the proposed changes in the pupil-teacher ratio as outlined in reply to Parliamentary Question No. 29 of 3 November 1987.
Written Answers - Voluntary Redundancy Scheme.
202.
The additional cost in 1988 through payment of pensions to those primary teachers who accept voluntary redundancy is estimated at £3.7 million.
The saving of £10 million referred to is a saving on teachers' salaries which are a charge on Subhead C1 of the Vote for Primary Education. Provision for the additional pension costs has been made in Subhead D of that Vote. Thus, the £10 million savings do not take account of the additional pension costs.
203.
asked the Minister for Education the estimated full year (a) savings through the proposed change in pupil-teacher ratio at primary level and (b) cost of pensions payable to those primary teachers who accept voluntary redundancy during 1988.
The full year savings which would result from the proposed change in pupil-teacher ratio at primary level is estimated at £27.4 million. The full year cost of pensions payable to primary teachers who accept voluntary redundancy during 1988 is estimated at £9.9 million.